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11. What kind of flowers grow there?
Roses grow here really well because of the sandy soil. (It's also really humid here, so roses thrive.) In addition to traditional rose bushes that bloom all summer, there are some "climbing roses" that, in early June, spill over the sides of complex walls, and cement barriers, creating a beautiful contrast the to concrete and tall buildings in a big city!
Local nurseries grow lots of annual plants (plants that only grow for one summer and do not come back again the next year.) Marigolds, petunias, snapdragons and pansies are grown by the thousands, and artfully arranged in the major parks into shapes or symbols in giant flower beds. These beds are completely re-planted at least twice a summer, with massive teams of gardeners from the countryside doubled over. In the fall, they plant ornamental cabbages.
Our city hosted the Sailing portion of the 2008 Summer Olympics. That summer at the airport, entire fields were transformed into beautiful flower arrangements that were visible from the air, and to commuters on the overpasses of the expressway.
We love going to the flower market where they sell fresh cut flowers (roses, lilies, Gerber daisies, and orchards potted in sphagnum moss. At the market, they make beautiful flower arrangements for the local hotels, for weddings, and even for the wedding cars!
We also have lots of scrubby pines along the coast. Ginkgo trees are planted along the main streets in our city. There are also many magnolia trees that grow in gardens. We have lots of other beautiful trees that grow in our city too-- most notably cherry trees, which blossom into beautiful pink flowers mid-April.
12. Do people sew their own clothes there?
Not usually. (Not unless they don't have the money to buy.) Here the tailor is not that expensive, so some people get their clothes made for them or they just buy them at the shopping centres. We have had traditional Chinese clothes made at the tailor.
(answered by Millie Johnson, age 10)
13. What dances do they do there?
Lion and Dragon Dances are very popular in China. These are usually formal performances, with professional dancers that are hired to perform at weddings and also during special festival's like the Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) celebration. The "Lions" (actually two, very athletic people under one costume) dance to the beat of traditional drums. It's a really amazing performance to watch, and is usually followed by confetti cannons and strings of loud fireworks.
More casually, Chinese people (often Chinese grandmas and sometimes grandpas) dance together in common areas like public parks or even in the main courtyard of their apartment complex. These dances are fun to watch, because, although they are impromptu, the women take them very seriously! One person usually brings a small radio and plays a CD of Chinese instrumental music. There are a few "leaders" at the front, and many neighbors who join in rows. Lots of other people will stop to watch, and sometimes even join in too!
My daughter, Millie also reminded me that many of the different minority groups throughout China have customs that involve dancing. 95% of Chinese people are Han minority, but the remaining 5% are made up of 55 different minority groups. Each minority group has a distinctive culture, customs, and style of dress. Some of their customs involve dancing.
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